Will Barangay Ginebra’s Never-Say-Die Spirit Come To Play In Game 2?

It seemed like Jayjay Helterbrand wanted to play Game Two immediately when he emerged from the dugout following Barangay Ginebra’s 82-65 loss to Rain or Shine in Game One of their PBA Philippine Cup best-of-three quarterfinals series at the Big Dome.

Helterbrand said the Gin Kings hardly showed pride or fighting spirit when the Elasto Painters went on a telling 18-0 third quarter run. Rain or Shine was all over Barangay Ginebra on defense, forcing the crowd favorites to 17 turnovers – enough to frustrate even star shooting guard Mark Caguioa, who threw his goggles out in disgust in the fourth quarter.

The 36-year-old Helterbrand said the Gin Kings just simply played terrible on offense and defense. He added that the Ginebra fans failed to get their money’s worth with how they played.

But despite their poor Game One performance, Helterbrand isn’t losing hope, saying they are capable of bouncing back just like what they have done numerous times in the past.

In fact, when the Gin Kings beat the Elasto Painters, 97-90 on Nov. 25, the crowd favorites managed to claw back from a 17-point deficit en route to the come-from-behind victory.

Now, it’s up to the Gin Kings to respond and come out strong from the get-go come Game Two. For another slow start or worse, another poor shooting night would mean the end for Barangay Ginebra’s Philippine Cup campaign – a scenario its legion of fans wouldn’t want to happen.